From internet hosting two Grands Prix lately, Italy now dangers disappearing from the calendar. The potential approval of the most recent Emergency Decree might result in a change within the presidency of ACI, a improvement that significantly considerations Method 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. This situation jeopardizes the ensures underpinning the current renewal of the Italian GP till 2031, threatening Monza, Imola, and Sardinia’s presence within the Method 1 and WRC calendars.
The regulatory framework
The dangers for Method 1 in Italy stem from the most recent Emergency Decree awaiting approval, at present below joint evaluate by the Atmosphere and Price range Committees. The invoice proposes introducing time period limits for public entities that additionally act as sports activities federations, together with ACI. There’s a chance that the rule might be made retroactive, triggering new elections for the presidency of the Car Membership and invalidating Angelo Sticchi Damiani’s present fourth time period. Including to that is the 2025 Price range Regulation, whose Article 116 obliges ACI to pay €50 million yearly to the treasury, complicating—however not solely halting—the modernization of Monza’s Autodrome.
In an interview with the Italian media final September, the ACI president acknowledged the necessity to modernize the Monza Autodrome as a vital situation for preserving the Grand Prix on the calendar: “An important factor of the contract is the completion of works which have but to be carried out. To resume the contract, we should guarantee these works are accomplished inside sure deadlines.” Not too long ago interviewed by *Autosprint*, Method 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali reiterated this level, emphasizing the pivotal position of ACI President Angelo Sticchi Damiani: “Monza should modernize. I’ve to say that, on this regard, the ACI president has actually stepped up.”
The eventualities
Stefano Domenicali’s primary concern is the potential inner elections at ACI, which might disrupt the well-established collaboration with the present president—a priority he has not hesitated to specific. In response to info from *FormulaPassion*, the mandatory circumstances for sustaining not solely the Method 1 Grands Prix at Monza and Imola but additionally the WRC in Sardinia are in danger. This marks a sudden shift after the six-year extension of the Italian GP celebrated in 2024.
Notably, the renewal of the Monza GP till 2031, signed on November 27, got here only a month after Sticchi Damiani’s reelection on October 16, 2024. The present ACI president is a central determine within the relationship with Method 1, with Monza and Imola’s future relying not simply on monetary issues but additionally on expertise and particular organizational expertise. “Actually, if Monza doesn’t meet its commitments, a powerful candidate with Imola is already ready,” Domenicali warned in *Autosprint*.
In actuality, each Italian Grands Prix are in danger. Stefano Domenicali’s feedback affirm the potential of canceling the prevailing contract. Regardless of the renewal signed in November, the settlement features a termination clause at Method 1’s sole discretion if sure circumstances aren’t met. Simply as there was aid over the extension till 2031, the Italian GP is as soon as once more below risk, together with Imola’s place and Sardinia’s place within the WRC.